Fanshi Astragalus

Fanshi Astragalus

　　Fanshi Astragalus, produced in the northern sacred mountain Hengshan, is also known as “Hengshan Northern Astragalus.” Fanshi Astragalus features a bright color, beautiful outer skin, yellow core, small hollow center, thick and long roots, no branching, rich powderiness, and high sugar content. Astragalus has certain medicinal value — it tastes sweet and has a warm nature. It is a key herb for replenishing qi, helping to consolidate the exterior, suppress sweating, promote tissue regeneration, and heal sores. Medical research also suggests that Northern Astragalus can enhance immunity and is used to treat leukopenia caused by exposure to chemicals or radiation, or cases of unexplained low white blood cell counts. It is hailed as China’s “flagship premium herb.” It is exported to southern provinces as well as to Japan, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macau, and other regions.

　　Fanshi Astragalus is honored as the “King of Astragalus.” Its roots are uniformly straight, with fine and smooth skin, bright yellow color, rich powderiness, small hollow centers, and are considered the authentic Northern Astragalus of China. Hengshan Astragalus is rich in sucrose, glucose, starch, mucilage, folic acid, betaine, choline, gum, cellulose, and various amino acids. Li Shizhen, a renowned pharmacologist in China, listed Astragalus as a top-grade herb in his Compendium of Materia Medica, referring to it as the “leader of tonic herbs.” The root is used medicinally, tasting sweet with a mild nature. It functions to purge yin fire, invigorate vital energy, strengthen the spleen and stomach, clear muscle heat, discharge pus and relieve pain, activate blood circulation, and heal sores. It is mainly used to treat spontaneous sweating due to superficial deficiency, internal injury from qi deficiency, spleen deficiency-induced diarrhea, edema, and abscesses. Locals cook Astragalus with meat to remove gaminess and enhance nutrition. Astragalus lamb soup is an essential delicacy for entertaining honored guests in the Hunyuan area.